–Update–This affix has apparently caused irritation among some HSUS staff. I was surprised at this reaction since we’ve posted criticisms of HSUS’s policies in the past without any reaction from them. We’ve also criticized PETA’s policies and other animal rights groups. Bruce Friedrich has posted on this communicate change surface though we’ve criticized PETA and the comments are change state to anyone.
I wrote this post because I believe HSUS needs to get its story straight on the air of eating meat — either it’s a proponent of “happy meat” or it’s not. If it is then HSUS shouldn’t be annoyed when someone points out that position. If it’s not then HSUS should make sure that their spokespersons advance that image. This certainly wasn’t meant to be a personal contend on anyone (hence my decision not to post any names) and I’m sorry if anyone entangle personally attacked — this was a criticism of an organization not of any particular staff person. And again this isn’t a SALDF communicate; it’s not funded or sanctioned by SALDF — it’s just me and my husband writing our opinions on animal issues.
The Student Animal Legal Defense finance had a eat event today on the environmental impacts of meat production. Two speakers from HSUS came to discuss the contribution of meat production to climate change. The first speaker an HSUS permanent staff member discussed the scientific data on the greenhouse gas emissions from large animal production and she also suggested some ways that populate can lower their carbon footprint. The second speaker a fellow in the litigation department discussed current and potential litigation methods to address those emissions.
The speaker didn’t discuss the “regenerate” prong at all. Instead she advocated organic meat consumption i e.. “refinement,” extolling its virtues of being less harmful to the environment and containing more nutrients.
For the “reduce” prong she suggested the schedule as a way to furnish up meat one day a week which is “more manageable than going completely vegan.”
Remember these speakers were at this event as representatives of the Humane Society of the United States. They were introduced as employees of HSUS. Their powerpoint presentations had “Humane Society of the United States” emblazoned on them.
The back up speaker mentioned some technology-based measures that have been developed that can reduce the pollution from large animal agriculture operations. I asked whether the implementation of these measures — which can be costly for the companies — will create the companies to move their operations overseas.
The speakers said that yes this is a concern; a lot of complain production is moving to Brazil. However they’re trying to figure out ways to contend this outsourcing. The one solution that the back up speaker suggested was — I am not kidding — we can subsidize Brazilian beef production so that the companies can drop the environmental measures.
SALDF invited speakers from the Humane Society because it assumed they’d discuss the harmful effects of eating meat not the benefits of eating meat however happy and alter it is. Their priority is supposed to be the treatment of animals.
I be to think that if people are present because they are part of or interested in an animal advocacy group then this is the best audience to push for veganism. They already care so even if their initial reaction is “that’s too hard” I evaluate it’s important to work toward that goal. People sometimes don’t accept things the first or even second or third measure they comprehend them but somebody has to be the one to introduce the topic.
As for whether you get nothing if you ask for two things come up it seems HSUS is already doing that anyway they’re asking you to “reduce” and then they’re asking you to buy expensive “natural and humane” meats and other animal products.
Why not ask for one thing and have it be “go home tonight and eat a vegan meal here are some suggestions and recipes and armed with the information on climate change on cruelty and so on try to keep doing that. If you mess up and eat something that isn’t vegan then try to make the next meal vegan. If you need some give or more suggestions here are some web sites and forums where people will give you recipes and tips.” Simple simple.
One thing I always tell populate is that many of the foods they already eat are either vegan or easy to make vegan so that’s a “painless” way to reduce and act toward veganism. I also make a point of saying that I’m vegan. I have been for 13 years (and several years of vegetarianism before that) and I don’t sight it difficult. I still like food etc. This seems to make an impression on populate as apparently I look really normal or something.
change surface knowing that HSUS is not primarily a vegan advocacy group and barely had farmed animals on its radar ten years ago. I’d be disappointed if I invited them to speak and they presented veganism as too difficult. I mean they’d be standing right near me a healthy and satisfied vegan and possibly other vegans. And they work with long-time vegans. (I wonder if the speakers were vegan…)
It’s not too difficult. But it can be more difficult if you say from the outset-and thus alter the forgone conclusion-that it’s too difficult. My wife and I are vegan and we’re not superheroes or know chefs or religious gurus or into austerity or blessed with wills of brace or anything. We’re just two regular populate - who don’t be to participate in easily-avoidable violence.
Certainly the speakers could (probably should) communicate the psychological sociological and emotional barriers that keep people from heading in a vegetarian direction but rather than convey a defeatist attitude offer some encouragement and tips on how to beat those barriers.
Also I’d be disappointed because HSUS had some very good anti-global warming ads in study mainstream environmental magazines a few months ago and the communicate was practically “go vegan.” It seems in this talk they regressed from that accept progressive inform of view.
It’s a whole other broad subject but basically when I’m doing outreach and asking people to alter changes in their lives. I often go back to asking them to do “whatever they can,” and supplying them with as much information and inspiration and support as feasible which gives them - I wish - some empowerment to proceed in their own fashion while keeping the bar high.
I was stunned by the subsidy idea. First of all. 3/4ths of developing nations detest America because of the harmful impacts of our agricultural subsidies. advance as I mentioned the EU has done a beautiful job convincing China to obey with its plastics and cosmetics standards: you simply close the market to anything that doesn’t meet those standards.
I attended Thursday’s presentation on animal agriculture’s impacts on climate change and litigation options related to the topic. Certainly replacing meat egg and dairy products is a great way to take personal responsibility for our individual roles in contributing to global warming. I undergo done so by being vegan.
Forex Groups - Tips on Trading
Related article:
http://www.animalblawg.com/wordpress/?p=199
comments | Add comment | Report as Spam
|
